3 Little Things College Coaches Look For
Understand that each coach is different and the better player you are the easier it is for a coach to overlook certain areas. What players need to understand is that the majority of division I schools are midmajor or low major schools and that there is nothing wrong with playing at that level. Davidson is considered a mid/low major school yet they have the best player in the country right now in Stephen Curry. Curry was barely recruited even though his father was a legend at Virginia Tech and a great pro. Some coaches look at different things and I thought I’d cover 3 that, in my opinion, are overlooked and underappreciated.
1. Practice Habits: Coaches can go watch players practice but the good coaches watch a player before and after practice to see what his habits are. They like to be a little anonymous so the player doesn’t know he’s watching. What are they looking at? Warmup habits, leadership habits and structure. Coaches want kids who love the game and are willing to play and play it right. By watching beforehand and seeing a kid out early and warming up correctly before going it to his ‘ritual’, it can make all the difference in the world. The best players stay after and keep shooting. You couldn’t get me out of the gym after practice ended and I still love it to this day.
2. Attitude: This is a 2 way street here and players need to be aware. If you are a great player this isn’t as important as if you aren’t a great player. Here is what I mean. Coaches go around and talk to teachers, other students, principals, security guards…you name it. They want to get unbiased opinions by other people in the school as to what type of a person you are. Coaches understand that players always try to put their best foot forward so by asking others they get a good sense of what a kid is really like. Be mindful of this because it can make a low major player a mid major one and a mid major a high major. High major players can get away with more here.
3. Respect for Parents and Coaches: Coaches want kids who are willing to be coached and not react. It is just as important during a practice as to how a kid reacts while being coached as it is to how he plays. Does the player look the coach in the eye? Does the player respond to criticism? Does the player show respect to his parents? All these things play a giant role in deciding if a kid is getting a scholarship or not.
Coaches want kids who have talent, love the game, respect the game by always playing hard and win. Kids that come from winning programs have a much easier time getting their educations paid for. Winning breeds winning and the more coaches surround themselves with winners, the better their program can become.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
How do you start an article with Stephon Curry as an example, and then offer three things that coaches look for which Curry seems to have in abundance? Curry is a direct contrast to your three things – if coaches valued those three, Curry would be at a high major, not a low major. If college coaches look for three things, they are: height, length and quickness, which is why a player like Curry can be overlooked despite his great attitude, background and skill set.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
You are missing the title of the article. The title is 3 LITTLE things. Curry is a great player that didn’t have the height, length and quickness but did everything else. Do you know how many 6’3 165 pound high school kids are out there and are very good players? Dime a dozen. I use Curry because he wasn’t highly recruited and coaches can miss on some kids.
I understand that the big 3 of height, length and quickness are important. I’m not saying that skill doesn’t play a role because that’s obvious. If a kid is good, he’s good and that sticks out to nearly everyone, but not every player understands that coaches are always watching and if they are on the fence for a scholarship offer then these 3 LITTLE things can make all the difference.
I love the comment.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I totally agree to your response bschofield. There are thousands of kids out there that have Curry’s athleticism, height and quickness. It’s pretty naive to think that all a coach looks for is height, quickness and skill. Coaches know that those attributes are out there all over the place. They know that in order for thier team to win they need some team chemistry and some kids with a little character.
Roy Williams is a perfect example. He won’t touch players that he doesn’t think are good human beings, he flat out doesn’t care how good they are. If they seem selfish, immature or weak he knows that it’s only a matter of time before those characteristics will show up on the court and weaken his team.
January 31st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
It’s true, there are thousands of high school kids who are good shooters at 6’2 with decent quickness but those kids need something that seperates them from everyone else. The problem comes when parents talk to kids and tell them how good they are and not what they need to work on to get better. Kids that want to play in college need people around them who are going to push them to practice and challenge them and not just stroke their egos.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
You guys are right for the most part about college coaches looking for height, length, and quickness. Also, about coaches overlooking great players because they have bad attitudes.
I’m going to add that coaches mainly look for players with talents in some areas, but are weak in other areas. Meaning that coaches have big ego’s: They want players that they can actually work with day by day and watch improve with THEIR training methods. They RARELY accept WALK-ON players with ALL-AROUND talents; Whether they have good attitudes, grades, etc… or not. I’m still wondering why I have been overlooked by high-school and college coaches over the years. I have an all around game, excellent defender, extremely quick, great assister, rebounder, & I have an unselfish attitude. I can allow somebody else ball hog as long as my team is winning. I’m also going to add that I have a huge muscular build, and I still constantly workout harder than everyone else, regardless of my rejections. Never been convicted, I have good grades, get along with my teachers, peers, parents. So you guys tell me why would these coaches overlook me?
December 1st, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I would have to see you play to be honest and give you an honest assessment. How tall are you? What position do you play? What do you do well? I’d be very interested to see some film if possible.
yes Coaches have egos. They have to have egos. They rarely accept walk ons and that is true also and if they do accept them they rarely play. That is all true, but it also doesn’t mean they are/were wrong with you as a player.
Get back to me.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I’m 6’0, about 178lbs of muscle. I play the point guard position. I can do everything the game requires of me. However, I know for a fact that as good as I am, I still have room for lots of improvement. The sad part is is that I haven’t played for a team since I was in the 6th grade: Even then my game stood out though because my dad always pushed me to become the best. I steal workouts from NBA pro’s clips online, as well as online articles, TV shows like, “Carmello’s way,” etc… as of today during my college years, and my game still preceeds those even on the team. I just wish that I could actually play for a team and condition daily so that I could REALLY unlock my true basketball potential.
As for the videos sir, PLEASE DO NOT take this the wrong way, but I don’t exactly live in the city of opportunities(Detroit). If I were to bring a camera to these gyms I go to in Detroit, these kids would not pass me the ball and let me play my game(as they do already). I still treat everyone with respect though, but there’s still those people who hate to see people try to succeed and make it out of Detroit. I don’t make these rules, but I have to live with them. If it’s in GOD’s will for me to make it to the NBA, then I will. I’m 21, and only have 6 semesters to play division 2 and below. I pray that GOD sends a coach my way. I want this game more than anyone else I’ve seen play.
I thank you for reading my response though, I’ve had a few promises before, but with little action simply because I don’t necessarily have coaches lining up at my door. Whether you can help me out or not, I would like to say stay blessed, and keep Jesus first. He’ll resolve ALL of your problems in due time!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
how would you like me to help you? I don’t know anything about you as a player. What makes you think you are better than the other kids on the team? Why didn’t you play high school ball or AAU? I’m missing some large pieces to the puzzle here.
I’m a strong believer in God myself but I’ll tell you this….I can’t help you unless you can read your posts and tell me that you have given me enough to push you to a school.
What keeps you in Detroit?
December 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I really don’t believe you can help me. This is a matter of leaving my future in GOD’s hands. I’ve learned not to depend on man for ANYTHING, because he will always dissapoint you. Me as a player, I’ve explained my skills in my previous statements.
I don’t think, I know for a fact that I am better than the kids on the team. These coaches are just overlooking me. I do believe this is because I’ve always been an individual, I think for myself, I don’t need groups of people to make me feel secure, and I put GOD 1st in my life. I have strong feelings that these coaches I’ve encountered are a part of the freemasons or the illuminatti. I don’t underestimate ANYONE nowdays. Everyone successful, or in some position of authority is a part of these cults and they refuse to advance anyone who they feel would refuse to become a part of them.
I’m just going to keep my faith in Jesus and he’ll give me what I need. I’m done hoping that man can give me something that I probably don’t need anyways. What GOD has for me, NO man, woman, child, or demon in hell will EVER be able to stop him from giving it to me; Because GOD does what he wants to, when he wants to, and how he wants to. GOD Bless everyone reading this..
December 21st, 2009 at 10:58 am
That is some strange thinking. So you don’t think I can help you or anyone for that matter? I know you’ve heard the saying, but God helps those who help themselves.
I talk to players and people all the time about what I call my “blame it on God” theory. When players make great plays they often point to the sky to give credit to God but when things go bad they don’t do the same thing. Baseball players hit home runs and cross home plate pointing to the sky while the pitcher sits there crushed. Does God love one and not the other? Of course he loves them the same or he would cease to be God. God doesn’t make people miss shots or make bad passes and he doesn’t make people make shots or make tackles or hit home runs. He gives each of us talents to do it and if we work on those talents then we can be better.
I could’ve been a high major college basketball player but I didn’t and you know whose fault that was? Mine because I could’ve done more and that haunts me. I won’t blame my failing on God when I had the agency to choose to do more. The coaches aren’t part of the freemasons or illuminatti and they aren’t afraid to advance you they just honestly don’t believe that you are as good as you do. That’s ok.
Keep your faith in God because that is great and necessary if you ask me, but don’t forget your role in this. If you keep doing what you’ve always done you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.
I know this won’t go over so well, but I had to be honest.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Yes like I said before, I’m to the point to where I don’t care if you can help me or not. Also, I’m not offended or shocked by anything that you’ve stated above as well. I’ve heard much worse when I start to talk about Jesus, so I just brush it off.
As for your, “Blame it on GOD theory,” They should give credit to GOD for when they do good. hey should also still praise GOD even when they do bad, just for allowing them to make it to the profesional level: That is if they made it (professionally) without having to sell their souls to Satan, or do some dirt behind the scenes. And no, GOD loves us ALL evenly, but he shows favor towards those of us who are obedient to his word.
I’m very sorry to hear about your career that didn’t go through for you.(I really mean it), but like I’ve said before, if it was in GOD’s plan for you to make it professionally, then you would’ve been playing. What people get confused is; Satan gives people success as well, but their’s is limited. I’m sure you’ve been aware of how EVERYONE in the entertainment industry are a part of the illuminatti/freemason cults. You can even find the videos on youtube as well. They promise wealth and success to those who join these cults, but really they’re selling their souls to Satan forever. I don’t wan’t to be a part of any industry that allows forces people to do anything anti-christ. Check them out on youtube. Each and every celebrity/president/anyone famous, you know of use the masonic handshakes, hand symbols, wear the triangular shapes on their clothes, or the 5-star shapes on their clothes. As well as the black and white masonic colors. I’ve just found out that they’ve even become a part of Sports as well… It’s sad that they’re cutting out ANY National-level opportunities for Christians and other anti-masonic people.
Lastly, back to me again, I don’t have to continuously explain how both my older and I have been overlooked because of our blessed talents on the court. You’ll just have to come see me play if you want the honest truth. Or you can even ask the everyone who’s seen me play at EVERY court I’ve went to. I have people I don’t know asking me all the time , “Why didn’t the coach put me on the team?” These coaches I’ve dealt with ONLY want players who they feel that they can work with and make better on a day to day basis. Sure they can make me better, but I have an excellent all-around game, and a good attitude about life. There’s no getting around that. Everything is getting to the point of controlling the mass population. Don’t think for one second that the Government doesn’t place people in positions of authority with everything to make this plan happen.
Have a blessed Christmas and New Years!
December 21st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I don’t know about Youtube and it’s relation to the illuminati and the freemasons, but I can say with a 100% surety that the reason you aren’t playing college basketball has nothing to do with the freemasons or the illuminati. It’s something altogether different.
Coaches recruit and look at kids who played high school ball and or AAU ball. It just is a lot tougher if you don’t have those things to fall back on. Coaches will ask ‘why didn’t this kid play high school ball or aau ball?” “something must be wrong with him”. In your case, I’ve never seen you play so I can’t judge but I know enough on the topic to know that something isn’t quite as you describe it.
As for my dream, it was never to play professionally. I never wanted to do that or thought I could do that. I wanted to sign a division I scholarship and I did that and I feel fulfilled in that. Where I don”t feel fulfilled is knowing that I left some potential somewhere other than the court and that’s tough for me. It isn’t God’s fault. It’s mine.
You not playing has nothing to do with God not wanting you to play. I ask for video to be sent so I can evaluate you and nothing happens. I get reasons why you can’t send me something. You try one place and are turned away for some reason but you never tried anywhere else and instead are content to say that’s where God wants you. People get turned away and rejected all the time and instead of being content they fight for what they want or deserve. If you want to play it isn’t going to be given to you, you have to earn it and fight for it.
December 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
This is my last response sir,
I didn’t mean that the freemasons and illuminatti were in alliance with youtube, I meant to say that Youtube has live clips of ALL those in the entertainment industry, the White House, Television, who sold their souls to Satan via the illuminatti. Some knowingly, and other unknowingly; All that they know is that in order to make more money they must symbolize everything masonic through their field of entertainment. There’s many videos with evidence to show you. Go to youtube and type in these topics.
As for me, I’ve always walked a Christian lifestyle at home and inpublic. I don’t give people reasons to say that something is wrong with me. I’m quiet, good grades, mind my own business, and help others out in need. These coaches see and notice this. You really fail to understand, GOD does have the say on whether I do one thing or another. The only thing he doesn’t have say over is when we do sinful actions. Whih leads to me and basketball again. The ONLY reason I’m not playing is because it might not be in GOD’s plan for me to play. I’m not mad at GOD, nor am I blaming him for anything bad that happens in my life. Jesus is still blessing me in other fields of my life. Satan is the one who makes bad things happen to us; But it is up to us whether we allow them to effect us or not.
Lastly, I don’t need to fight because it’s pointless. I workout ALL year around, huge build, extremely quick, can jump high, run fast, handle the ball, shoot 3′s, pass to the right people, tight defense, and yet I’ve still seen those less talented than I easily walk on some coache’s team. This isn’t a matter of fighting for what I wan’t, this is matter of GOD and his fate for me. I can honestly say that these rejections I’ve faced in life actually made me grow closer to GOD; Being that I know Satan is the one testing my relation to GOD via basketball. I love this game, and I’ve always played better than the next man. I undrstand that you underestimate my skill level being that you haven’t seen me play, but just so you know if I were on some coaches team, I guarentee you that I would make it to the NBA: But I’ve been blatently overlooked here in Michigan. I’m not arrogant, or cocky, but I am a confident in myself. My statements about everything may seem a little outlandish to you, but I’ve always thought for myself, looked at the facts, and asked GOD for guidence with my life.
With this being said, GOD willing, you’ll hear about me again trust me. I have a very strong belief system because of my faith in GOD, that most don’t understand yet. I just thought you should know these things before I go so take it easy.